The barnacle goose - Branta leucopsis

belongs to the genus Branta of black geese, which contains species with largely black plumage, distinguishing them from the grey Anser species. Despite its superficial similarity to the Brent Goose, genetic analysis has shown it is an eastern derivative of the Cackling Goose lineage.

The barnacle goose formerly bred exclusively on the Russian Arctic coast. Since the 1970s, it has also colonized the Baltic Sea region and is breeding in Central Europe. However, it is still mainly a winter visitor, who can usually be seen as single birds or in small groups in the company of the Bean Goose and White-fronted Goose. One of the features of this species of goose is the close bond with the sea coast, which is especially pronounced in winter and in the breeding colonies of different sizes on rocky outcrops on the coast and along rivers.

The Barnacle Goose is a medium-sized goose, 55–70 cm (22–28 in) long, with a wingspan of 130–145 cm (51–57 in) and a body mass of 1.21–2.23 kg (2.7–4.9 lb). It has a white face and black head, neck, and upper breast. Its belly is white. The wings and its back are silver-gray with black-and-white bars that look like they are shining when the light reflects on it. During flight a V-shaped white rump patch and the silver-gray underwing linings are visible. Both sexes are the same color.

Barnacle geese are very vocal/ noisy. Their call is predominantly a single syllable and shrill cry, rather like barking. When Barnacle geese take to flight, their wings create a buzzing sound.

The Barnacle Goose is a migratory bird, which usually heads south in winter. The migration routes of the barnacle goose are not genetically fixed, but are handed down in the various sub-populations. Except for mating and nesting season barnacle geese live in large flocks.

Barnacle geese live mostly on short grass. They prefer to graze on, among other things Andel and Queller, ie plants that grow in salt and brackish water meadows. They also eat the buds, leaves and catkins of willow. A considerable part of the diet also consists of animal life such as various crustaceans, aquatic insects and most likely also mollusks.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weißwangengans - Translation Stephanie Lake and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacle_Goose